"Explain the part Pilgrimage plays in the life of Christians"

Georgina Thomas -AO2- "Explain the Part Pilgrimage plays in the life of Christians" There are many reasons for going on pilgrimage. Some go on Pilgrimage searching for God, to reaffirm their faith. Others go to have the opportunity to worship freely with other believers, a feeling of belonging, being 'allowed' to worship. Another reason is to go as an act of penance to make up for sin; this reason isn't as common as it was in the Middle Ages when priests would sometimes give pilgrimage as a penance The benefits from going on pilgrimage vary from person to person. A sense of belonging is one of the many things gained. The person I interviewed was a relative who went on pilgrimage in May of this year, she said 'I gained a lot from travelling; I had an overwhelming mountaintop experience whilst proceeding around the Stations of the Cross, meeting new people along the way'. She also said "the spiritual discipline showed me a kind of peacefulness I don't normally come across.' my relative believes she can find peace in Lourdes that she cannot get anywhere else. Others may say a lot is gained purely if you stay open to the new surroundings. Lasting friendships are gained in this way. Some pilgrims may strengthen their relationship with God and gain an understanding of their blessings and failings. Also pilgrims can realize how lucky they are, with good health and not take it for

  • Word count: 844
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Explain what a study of Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship"

"Explain what a study of Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship" By looking at Marks's Gospel we can find out a lot about the nature of Discipleship and the Apostles. The Apostles name's were Simon Peter, Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, John his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican who changed his name from Levi to indicate a new life, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananite and Judas. The word 'Apostle' means someone chosen out ordinary disciples to become a leader. When a priest/vicar is ordained, this means he is now an Apostle. An Apostle is anyone chosen to Preach. There is some controversy to whether Mary Magdalene is an Apostle, but according to Mark, she is not counted in the final twelve. Catholics would say that Apostles are only male leaders in the church, but in the Church of England they believe that any disciple can become an Apostle, male of female. The word Apostle is from the Greek word 'to send'. A disciple is someone who learns, listens and follows. Anybody can be a disciple and anyone who follows Jesus is a disciple. When Jesus called the Apostles, they were ordinary men with ordinary lives who all wanted something. The four fishermen wanted taxes to change and the tax collector Mathew led a comfortable life, but was lonely. There were two zealots in the group, and their

  • Word count: 983
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Forever" by M6 Theatre Company.

"Forever" by M6 Theatre Company To gain experience and ideas about theatre productions we must watch several genres and styles of productions. A theatre in Education Company gave a performance of a play called "Forever". Their aim is to provide an experience for children that will be intensely absorbing, challenging, even provocative, and an unrivalled stimulus for further work on the chosen subject in and out of school. The staging used was kept as a few simple boards to create the rooms within the play. The play didn't require more detailed staging as the production was their to raise awareness in a specific area. The simple staging and setting made the message clearer. The narrative of the play was about the life of an unwanted baby and how it felt when it was old enough to understand. The play ends with the unwanted baby who is now a man faced with the same situation a pregnancy in a non-loving relationship. The play was divided in to different times, the protagonist would character change to a baby for the scenes in the past and back to a man when scenes where set in the present. A clever technique was used to make the character changes more obvious. The sound of a bell was heard when the character change happened. The bell could represent a baby's rattle bell. This was significant as the character was changing into a baby. The character change was established by

  • Word count: 513
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Critically analyse the construction of 'race'/ethnicity in the context of a particular sporting subculture: What's the difference between black and white, or is it white and black? A critical analysis on the perceptions of racism in English soccer.

"Critically analyse the construction of 'race'/ethnicity the context of a particular sporting subculture: What's the difference between black and white, or is it white and black? A critical analysis on the perceptions of racism in English soccer from fans, players and the media." Although sport has long been associated with a myth that it offers an avenue of social mobility for socio-economically deprived groups (Maguire, in Jarive 1991; Jones, 2002), racism continues to be a problem in football across Europe. Racism in football (since the first black players emerged) has always been a problem, many perceive that it will always remain a problem, however most are hopeful that in time the problem will be eradicated. But what actually constitutes racism? Does it have to be overt; from white Right-Wing Neo-Nazi's and/or football hooligans protesting against the presence of coloured individuals in the game, can it be covert institutional racism where black players have to try harder to impress (and therefore succeed) in comparison to white players to prove their worth in the game, or is it yet another form of racism from the unsuspecting, i.e. football commentators complimenting white players of 'intelligent' passing or runs off the ball, and the constant referral to black players for their strength and speed? Either way, the examples given here are all racist, and they are only

  • Word count: 1302
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Give an outline of Jewish beliefs about the qualities of God".

"Give an outline of Jewish beliefs about the qualities of God" In this essay I am going to discuss the Jewish beliefs about Hashem and what Jews think his qualities are. I will be using examples from a famous religious scholar called Maimonides and quotes from the Torah to give evidence for my answers. Jews believe that God is omnipotent, which is to have unlimited power or authority. In the 13 Principles of Maimonides, Jews believe that Point 7 shows Gods unlimited power over humans and the universe. The point explains how Moses experienced the presence of God through a burning bush and how God revealed his purpose for the Israelites to be taken to the Promised Land. This is a clear example of Gods omnipotency. We can also see an example of Gods unlimited power in Genesis 6, with the story of God creating a huge flood to kill every human being, animal, or bird on earth. We also see Gods unlimited power in the 10 commandments as God must be very powerful if he can give such restraining orders and have people follow them. We also see this in the Shema, as again God gives an order a whole race of people follow. The above reasons therefore explain why Jewish people think God is omnipotent. In Judaism, God is also seen as being omniscient, which is to have total knowledge. Jews believe this as at Yom Kippur we can see an obvious example of God being omniscient as he knows

  • Word count: 1318
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Hills Like White Elephants", by Ernest Hemingway

English 11 Hills Like White Elephants Nico A. The two main characters in the story "Hills Like White Elephants", by Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), are going through a conflict which each character views differently. The conflict at hand is the abortion that the woman is to have. The man sees it as no big deal whilst the woman is terrified of doing something she will have to go through pain for. This story shows the masking of the man's egoism and the efforts of the woman to please her companion in life. The man tries to distract the woman's thoughts by buying her drinks and discussing with her things completely irrelevant to the surgery in order to keep her mind focused in a way in which he can reach his goal, that of not bringing their baby to the world. The man's ignorance towards the girl as a whole is highlighted for the reader when he describes what he thinks the operation is like. "It's really an awfully simple operation...I know you wouldn't mind it...it's really not anything. It's just to let the air in." However, there are more issues at hand here than the physical pain the woman is to undertake for the abortion. It is unfortunate for the woman that the man fails to see that there is far more psychological pain for her to go through. It is, after all, a baby she is requested not to have. It is unknown what the previous plans for this baby might have been.

  • Word count: 576
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Holy books were written hundreds or thousands of years ago - They have nothing to say about the modern world and moral issues" - Discuss.

Holy Scriptures "Holy books were written hundreds or thousands of years ago. They have nothing to say about the modern world and moral issues." ) After reading this, my first thought was that growing up all my life being a Muslim with the Koran always there, I immediately thought that this was completely wrong! But after thinking about it, I realised how I could see the point that it made, and how in some ways it is true. Holy books were written a long time ago and simply cannot have an answer to every problem we face today. Some religious leaders of course conveniently re-interpret their books to keep pace with modern scientific discoveries which they can no longer deny: Evolution, origin of the world, the Big Bang and others, and even for example with Christians, modern things such as genetic engineering, abortion, and using contraceptives, which are not allowed for people such as Catholics except for the first one. The Holy Books don't tell us how to deal with modern day issues, or what to do in modern situations. And also tells us nothing of modern science and discoveries that have happened more then a long time after they were written. And there is nothing about the world wars for example, not telling us anything about them. And some may even say that these Holy Scriptures are no use anymore! That they are just outdated books that do not help us at all

  • Word count: 856
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Human life is sacred and should be safeguarded regardless of circumstances." Discuss this statement in relation to either abortion or voluntary euthanasia.

"Human life is sacred and should be safeguarded regardless of circumstances." Discuss this statement in relation to either abortion or voluntary euthanasia. It is impossible to discuss the issue of abortion and voluntary euthanasia without taking into consideration the emotional topic," the sanctiy of life." The question of abortion illustrates the different views held for the sacredness of human life. To discuss abortion or even euthanasia, is to discuss the meaning not only of when does life begin or when and how life should be terminated, but the meaning of the precious "thing" we all call life. It is important to discuss, when considering abortion, why human life is so special, and in a religious sense so sacred. The Christian belief in life being a special gift given to humanity by God; to take away that gift is wrong and is supported by scripture. "You shall not kill' "Do not commit murder"1 For God to forbid the killing of any human, clearly illustrates that human life is precious, and should be maintained at all means. Life then is seen as a sacred gift from God. The individual has no power over it, "Then one would conclude that the individual must do everything possible to keep human life in existence.2" Another definition is given, "The sanctity of life is often taken to mean the preservation of life at all costs, so intrinsically valuable is it."3

  • Word count: 1191
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"If God really loved humanity we would never have to suffer"

AO3 "If God really loved humanity we would never have to suffer" James Quinn 4F An Atheists view is usually "That if there is a God then there would be no suffering therefore there must be no God". There are many single incidents, which back up this belief such as, the holocaust in the Second World War, the attack on the World Trade Centres by Osama Bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network. Also all the wars that have ever taken place in History also back up this argument that if there was a God would he not have stopped all this mass suffering before it happened. Also another reason to back this theory is called the "problem of evil". This is the theory that God is Omnipotent (all powerful), Omniscient (all knowing) and Omni benevolent (all loving) then why does God let evil happen. If you take one of these away then you can see that God could let evil happen, e.g. if you take away Omnipotent then God is not all powerful and would not be able to stop evil. This makes Atheists think that there must be no God. A Christian would be able to find the solution in the bible and from other people's views. The bible would give a few different answers, one of them being in the chapter Job, and this chapter will give you three solutions; ) Suffering is a Test 2) Suffering is a Punishment for Sin 3) Suffering is a Part of God's plan, which is beyond human understanding Other

  • Word count: 354
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"In modern society religious beliefs and religious behaviors are changing rather than declining" Assess the argument for and against this view.

"In modern society religious beliefs and religious behaviors are changing rather than declining" Assess the argument for and against this view. The term Modern Religion in this essay will refer to the religion in the 20th century (i.e. from the 1900's). Also to reduce confusion I will focus mainly on religion within the UK I will term the phrase religious beliefs and religious behaviors to be related with the exclusive definition of religion. Which means a belief in god or a high being and participating in religious practice. There are many views on whether or not religion is declining in this essay I aim to outline and explain different ideas given for and against the idea. Bruce and Wilson agree with the statement and believe that religion is declining, however Davie and Shiner are just some sociologists that believe religion is changing. In sociology there is a name attributed to the decline of religion, this is secularization however there is dispute between sociologists on the usefulness of this term as it can be much broader. However for the purpose of this essay it will mean the decline of religion. There are many statistics that argue against the statement "religion is declining rather than changing". Christian church membership in Britain between 1930 and 1990 has dropped from 9.9million to 5.6 million, that's nearly a 50% drop, which shows a definite

  • Word count: 1234
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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